Disinfectant misting system and assembly

ABSTRACT

A disinfectant misting system and assembly operably configured to selectively control emission of an atomized spray of disinfectant solution within an enclosed structure at desired times, in desired locations, and for a desired amount of flow through at least one electronic control unit in an effective and efficient manner, and comprising a liquid supply housing with a liquid disinfectant storage tank housing a disinfectant solution, a disinfectant supply pump, an electronically controlled room pressure regulation component, and an electronically controlled pump pressure regulation component fluidly couplable to a liquid conduit assembly operably configured to transport the disinfectant solution to at least one disinfectant emission housing operably configured to emit an atomized spray of the disinfectant solution into the enclosed room space.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sanitizers and disinfectants,and, more particularly, relates to a disinfectant misting system andassembly operably configured to emit an atomized spray of a disinfectantsolution within an enclosed structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The effective and continuous sanitation or disinfection of common andpublic areas has significantly grown in importance over time.Specifically, the ability to kill germs, bacteria, viruses, and otherpathogens or microorganisms in enclosed structures or spaces has becomemore valuable and many businesses, retail locations, and commercial andresidential buildings have exhibited a demand for systems and assemblieswith the foregoing capabilities. Although there are a number ofassemblies known in the industry that are designed to achieve the goalof sanitizing and disinfecting large spaces and enclosed structures,said existing prior art is characterized by several significantlimitations. See, e.g., Lella et al., U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2011/0315175 A1 (Dec. 29, 2011); Brents et al., U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0290958 A1 (Nov. 18, 2010);Olvera et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0190538 A1(Jul. 9, 2015). For one, the existing configurations do not comprise anefficient and effective pressure and flow distribution network.Specifically, it is difficult for the known systems to manage pressuredrops over longer distances within their conduit assemblies, resultingin a significant loss or decrease in the pressure and flow of thedisinfectant solution when it is eventually emitted. To that end, theelectronically controlled valves in the existing prior art are notarranged in a position or configuration that facilitates the effectivedistribution and emission of the disinfectant solution into the enclosedspace. This limitation prevents the disinfectant solution from beingdistributed over a large surface area within the enclosed space.Further, the disinfectant solution used in existing configurations doesnot specifically disclose a hypochlorous acid constituent.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art asdiscussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a disinfectant misting system and assembly thatovercomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of theheretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and thateffectively and efficiently sanitizes, disinfects, distributes, andemits a disinfectant solution into any number of predetermined enclosedspaces. The intermediate valves disbursed throughout the liquid conduitassembly facilitate an efficient and effective pressure and flowdistribution network that reduces the loss of pressure, flow, and energyat disinfectant emission housings. This beneficial feature preventssignificant pressure drops over longer distances within the liquidconduit assembly such that the disinfectant solution is emitted withsufficient pressure to evenly distribute the solution over a greaterarea and volume of the enclosed space. The present invention alsocontains a hypochlorous acid constituent which aids in disinfecting andsanitizing the enclosed space over which the disinfectant solution isdistributed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, a disinfectant misting system implementedwithin an enclosed structure having a structure sidewall, a ground wall,and a ceiling wall defining an enclosed room space and comprising aliquid supply housing with a liquid disinfectant storage tank housing adisinfectant solution and fluidly couplable, through a liquid conduitassembly, with a disinfectant generation unit fluidly couplable, throughthe liquid conduit assembly, to a liquid supply source, the liquiddisinfectant storage tank and the disinfectant generation unitselectively fluidly couplable to one another through an electronicallycontrolled tank valve; a disinfectant supply pump housed within theliquid supply housing and operably configured to receive thedisinfectant solution and induce, within the liquid conduit assembly, aselectively controlled flow rate thereon downstream of the liquiddisinfectant storage tank and to an electronically controlled roompressure regulation component fluidly coupled to the liquid conduitassembly and housed within at least one intermediate regulation housingcoupled to the structure sidewall; an electronically controlled pumppressure regulation component housed within the liquid supply housingand fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit assembly downstream of thedisinfectant supply pump and upstream of the electronically controlledroom pressure regulation component; at least one disinfectant emissionhousing coupled to the ceiling and including an emission lower wall, anemission housing sidewall surrounding and coupled to the emission lowerwall, and at least one emission nozzle retained thereon, fluidly coupledto the liquid conduit assembly, and operably configured to emit anatomized spray of the disinfectant solution through an emission portdefined thereon, in a direction away from the at least one disinfectantemission housing, and into the enclosed room space; and at least oneelectronic control unit communicatively coupled to the electronicallycontrolled tank valve, the disinfectant supply pump, the electronicallycontrolled room pressure regulation component, and the electronicallycontrolled pump pressure regulation component and operably configured toselectively regulate pressure within the liquid conduit assembly andselectively induce the controlled flow rate through the disinfectantsupply pump and cause emission of the atomized spray of the disinfectantsolution through the emission port on the at least one disinfectantemission housing and into the enclosed room space and at selectivelycontrolled time intervals through use of a programmable timer.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a compressed air assembly having a compressoroperably configured to compress a gas downstream of the compressorwithin a gas conduit assembly spanning from the compressor to the atleast one emission nozzle on the least one disinfectant emissionhousing; and an electronically controlled room air pressure regulatorhoused within the at least one intermediate regulation housing, fluidlycoupled to the gas conduit assembly upstream of the at least oneemission nozzle and downstream of the compressor, and operablyconfigured to selectively modulate, through the at least one electroniccontrol unit communicatively coupled thereto, the gas pressure withinthe gas conduit assembly downstream to the at least one emission nozzle,thereby causing an increased velocity distribution of the atomized sprayof the disinfectant solution through the emission port on the at leastone disinfectant emission housing.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, anembodiment of the present invention includes a gas supply housing withthe compressor housed therein, with a refrigerated air dryer unitfluidly coupled to the gas conduit assembly downstream of thecompressor, and with at least one filtering unit fluidly coupled to thegas conduit assembly downstream of the compressor and the refrigeratedair dryer unit.

In accordance with yet another feature, an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a plurality of disinfectant emissionhousings each coupled to the ceiling in a distribution configurationoperably configured to supply the atomized spray of the disinfectantsolution to at least 90% of a room area of the enclosed room space.

In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, thedisinfectant generation unit is operably configured to generate thedisinfectant solution by subjecting a liquid substance from the liquidsupply source to an electrolytic chemical reaction within thedisinfectant generation unit.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, anexemplary embodiment comprises a filtering unit fluidly coupled to theliquid conduit assembly and disposed downstream of the liquid supplysource and upstream of the disinfectant generation unit.

In accordance with another feature of an exemplary embodiment, thedisinfectant solution is hypochlorous acid.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, thesystem further comprises an electronically controlled emission pressureregulation component housed within the at least one disinfectantemission housing, fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit assemblydownstream of the electronically controlled room pressure regulationcomponent, and communicatively coupled to the at least one electroniccontrol unit.

In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, theliquid supply housing further comprises a distribution unit housedtherein and with a plurality of liquid conduits forming part of theliquid conduit assembly and operably configured to retain disinfectantsolution downstream of the disinfectant supply pump, the plurality ofliquid conduits spanning to separate and respective electronicallycontrolled room pressure regulation components fluidly coupled theretoand housed within respective intermediate regulation housings coupled torespective structure sidewalls in respective enclosed room spaces.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, theat least one disinfectant emission housing further comprises an emissionport defining on four opposing sides of the housing sidewall of the atleast one disinfectant emission housing; and a fan and an ultrasonichumidifier housed therein and operably configured to emit the atomizedspray of the disinfectant solution through the emission ports defined onthe four opposing sides of the housing sidewall of the at least onedisinfectant emission housing.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a disinfectant misting system and assembly, it is, nevertheless, notintended to be limited to the details shown because variousmodifications and structural changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and within the scope andrange of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodimentsof the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of theinvention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art tovariously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. While the specification concludes withclaims defining the features of the invention that are regarded asnovel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood froma consideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as twoor more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term“providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g.,bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/orsupplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at onceor over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, theterms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,”“horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention asoriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting anyfeature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may bechanged based on the user's perspective of the device. Furthermore,there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theorypresented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary orthe following detailed description.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to allnumeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These termsgenerally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art wouldconsider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the samefunction or result). In many instances these terms may include numbersthat are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document,the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a directioncorresponding to an elongated direction of the enclosed structure of thedisinfectant misting system 100. The terms “program,” “softwareapplication,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence ofinstructions designed for execution on a computer system.

A “program,” “computer program,” or “software application” may include asubroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an objectimplementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, asource code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load libraryand/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on acomputer system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a disinfectant misting system andassembly, in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is afragmentary, perspective top view of a disinfectant emission housing andliquid conduit assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective top view of an intermediateregulation housing, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of a liquid supply housing, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of one embodiment of a disinfectantemission housing, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective bottom view of a fan, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded side view of a fan, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective side view of an intermediateregulation housing, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective top view of a compressed airassembly, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded, perspective top view of a liquid supply housing,in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary disinfectant mistingsystem and assembly, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an enclosed bus structure,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, perspective close-up view of an enclosedairplane structure, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, perspective close-up view of an enclosed shipstructure, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, perspective close-up view of an enclosedsubway structure, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The invention described herein provides a disinfectant misting systemand assembly that overcomes known disadvantages of those known devicesand methods of this general type and that is operably configured toselectively control emission of an atomized spray of disinfectantsolution at desired times, in desired locations, and for a desiredamount of flow in an effective and efficient manner. In contrast withexisting prior art, the present invention facilitates an efficient andeffective pressure and flow distribution network that beneficiallyprevents significant pressure drops over longer distances within theliquid conduit assembly such that the disinfectant solution is emittedwith sufficient pressure to evenly distribute the solution over agreater area and volume of the enclosed space. The foregoing feature, inconjunction with additional features and characteristics discussedherein, improves the overall disinfecting and sanitizing performance ofthe assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention isshown in a perspective view. FIG. 1 depicted herein shows severaladvantageous features of the present invention, but, as will bedescribed below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes,combinations of features and components, and varying numbers andfunctions of the components. The first example of a disinfectant mistingsystem and assembly 100 (hereinafter referred to as “system 100 ” forbrevity), as shown in FIGS. 1-4, is implemented within an enclosedstructure 102 having a structure sidewall 104, a ground wall 106, and aceiling wall 108 defining an enclosed room space 110. The efficacy ofthe system 100 is optimal when the system 100 is utilized or applied inan enclosed and defined space which, as seen in FIG. 1, may be a room orbuilding. As depicted in the fragmentary perspective views of FIGS.12-15, however, various applications of the system 100 may be utilizedin a variety of environments and on a variety of enclosed supportstructures 102, such as, by way of example and without limitation, asubway station and/or vehicle, an office building, a gymnasium, insidecabins and walkways of a cruise ship, inside the cabin of an airplane,and inside of a school building and bus, respectively. Depending on theconfiguration of the enclosed structure 102, the structure sidewall 104may vary in shape, form, and number. In other words, the structuresidewall 104 should be construed to include circular structures havingone continuous structure sidewall 104, as well as alternately configuredstructures having two or more structure sidewalls 104 a-n, wherein “n”refers to any number greater than one, separately configured withrespect to one another.

The system 100 comprises a liquid supply housing 112 (as best depictedin the exploded perspective view of FIG. 10) with a liquid disinfectantstorage tank 1000 housing a disinfectant solution 114 and fluidlycouplable, through a liquid conduit assembly 116, with a disinfectantgeneration unit 1002 fluidly couplable, through the liquid conduitassembly 116, to a liquid supply source 1100. The liquid disinfectantstorage tank 1000 and the disinfectant generation unit 1002 may beselectively fluidly couplable to one another through an electronicallycontrolled tank valve 1102. The liquid supply housing 112 may alsoinclude a cover panel 1012 and a door panel 1014 operably configured toencapsulate components of the liquid supply housing 112.

To accommodate enclosed structures 102 having a larger enclosed roomspace 110, or to avoid the need to repeatedly refill the liquiddisinfectant storage tank 1000, the liquid disinfectant storage tank1000 may have a volume of approximately 1 liter in exemplary embodimentsof the present invention. The volume of the liquid disinfectant storagetank 1000 may vary, however, in accordance with the size of the enclosedroom space 110 within which the system 100 is being utilized or applied,i.e., a smaller enclosed room space 110 may call for a smaller-sizedliquid disinfectant storage tank 1000, whereas a larger enclosed roomspace 100 may require a liquid disinfectant storage tank 1000 having alarger volume and capacity.

Regardless of the specific size, the liquid disinfectant storage tank1000 must be refilled periodically with the disinfectant solution 114,which may be done manually or automatically through remote means. Toachieve improved sanitization and disinfection, the disinfectantsolution 114 wholly consists of hypochlorous acid in one exemplaryembodiment. Hypochlorous acid is a safe and effective broad spectrumantimicrobial agent because it is a non-cytotoxic, fully biocompatiblechemical proven to be 100 times more effective at killing viruses thanordinary products containing bleach, but is a chemical that will notirritate the mucosa, cause skin irritation or trigger conditions likeeczema with prolonged use. Hypochlorous acid is non-cytotoxic,biocompatible, and biodegradable. In view of the foregoing beneficialfeatures and characteristics, hypochlorous acid is a preferredconstituent of the disinfectant solution 114. In an exemplaryembodiment, the pH level of the disinfectant solution 114 is betweenapproximately 3.5 and 7.0, the cell life is approximately 4500 hours,and the available chlorine concentration is approximately 10-100 mg/L.In alternate embodiments, however, the disinfectant solution 114 may beof another comparable disinfecting and sanitizing chemical agent knownin the industry to have beneficial disinfecting properties whileremaining safe for use by humans.

The disinfectant generation unit 1002 is operably configured to receiveliquid, e.g., municipal supply water in one embodiment, from the liquidsupply source 1100 and to substantially disinfect the liquid frombacteria, mold, viruses, and other such impurities to create thedisinfectant solution 114. In one embodiment, the disinfectantgeneration unit 1002 is operably configured to generate the disinfectantsolution 114 by subjecting a liquid substance from the liquid supplysource 1100 to an electrolytic chemical reaction within the disinfectantgeneration unit 1002. In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectantgeneration unit 1002 utilizes ultraviolet (“UV”) light or rays todisinfect the liquid due to UV's strong germicidal or inactivatingability.

Specifically, UV disinfects water containing bacteria and viruses andcan be effective against protozoans like, Giardia lamblia cysts orCryptosporidium oocysts. UV has been commercially used for many years inthe pharmaceutical, cosmetic, beverage, and electronics industries bothwithin and outside the United States. In an exemplary embodiment, thedisinfectant generation unit 1002 comprises a single UV bulb having arated bulb life of approximately 12,000 hours, and is of a 304 stainlesssteel composition characterized by high corrosion resistance. Thedisinfectant generation unit 1002 further comprises threaded pipesfluidly couplable to the liquid conduit assembly 116 which, in oneembodiment, have a maximum flow rate of 10 gpm, maximum pressure of 125psi, and maximum temperature of 120° Fahrenheit. The liquid conduitassembly 116 may also consist of a plurality of pipes fluidly and/orthreadedly coupled together to transport a liquid substance. Inadditional embodiments, as exemplified in FIG. 5, the intermediateregulation housings or other housings within the system may include oneor more inlets 504, 506 for receiving a liquid or gas substance. Assuch, the inlets 504, 506 enable fluid coupling to the liquid conduitassembly 116 and/or gas conduit assembly 124.

In accordance with a further feature of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the system 100 further comprises a filtering unit1008 fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit assembly 116 and disposeddownstream of the liquid supply source 1100 and upstream of thedisinfectant generation unit 1002. The filtering unit 1008 is operablyconfigured to filter out rust, sediment, and other comparable physicalimpurities and particles as small as 20 microns in size, from the liquidreceived by the disinfectant generation unit 1002 from the liquid supplysource 1100. The filtering unit 1008 is fluidly coupled to the liquidconduit assembly 116 with threaded pipes having the following exemplarydimensions: 0.75-inch pipe size; maximum flow rate of 10 grams perminute; and maximum pressure of 125 psi. In some embodiments, thefiltering unit 1008 may include one or more canisters fluidly coupled ina series to one another, each canister comprising water filtrationcomponents to filter out impurities from the liquid contained within thedisinfectant solution 114. The filtering unit 1008 is disposeddownstream of the liquid supply source 1100 and upstream of thedisinfectant generation unit 1002 in order for the filtering unit 1008to filter out physical impurities from the liquid first and then fluidlytransport the filtered liquid to the disinfectant generation unit 1002,where the liquid is disinfected and sanitized to create the disinfectantsolution 114 that is ultimately emitted.

The electronically controlled tank valve 1102 is best depicted in theschematic diagram of FIG. 11. As depicted in FIG. 11, the electronicallycontrolled tank valve 1102 is fluidly coupled to the liquid conduitassembly 116 and is disposed upstream of the filtering unit 1008. Theelectronically controlled tank valve 1102 is operably configured toselectively modulate the flow of liquid from the liquid supply source1100, particularly in the event of an emergency or foreign infiltrationof the liquid supply source 1100 or for purposes of conductingmaintenance or repairs on any of the components of the system 100 thatare disposed downstream of the electronically controlled tank valve1102.

As depicted in FIG. 10, the system 100 further comprises a disinfectantsupply pump 1004 housed within the liquid supply housing 112 andoperably configured to receive the disinfectant solution 114 and induce,within the liquid conduit assembly 116, a selectively controlled flowrate thereon downstream of the liquid disinfectant storage tank 1000 andto an electronically controlled room pressure regulation component 800fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit assembly 116 and housed within atleast one intermediate regulation housing 118 coupled to the structuresidewall 104. In embodiments where the system 100 is utilized in abuilding with multiple rooms or floors, each room or floor may have itsown intermediate regulation housing 118 coupled to the structuresidewall 104 thereof, with the electronically controlled room pressureregulation component 800 within the intermediate regulation housing 118selectively regulating and controlling the pressure with which thedisinfectant solution 114 is being emitted into the room or floor withinwhich it is located. Each of the pressure regulation components utilizedin the system may also include, in lieu or in addition to the pressureregulation components, a sensor operably configured to detect pressureand/or flow within a conduit.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, thesystem 100 comprises an electronically controlled pump pressureregulation component 1010 housed within the liquid supply housing 112and fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit assembly 116 downstream of thedisinfectant supply pump 1004 and upstream of the electronicallycontrolled room pressure regulation component 800. The electronicallycontrolled pump pressure regulation component 1010 is operablyconfigured to selectively regulate and control the pressure with whichthe disinfectant solution 114 is fluidly transported, through the liquidconduit assembly 116, to the at least one intermediate regulationhousing 118 coupled to the structure sidewall 104 of the enclosed roomspace 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the electronically controlledpump pressure regulation component 1010 consists of a valve that may bemanually or automatically selectively manipulated through the at leastone electronic control unit 1104, though in alternate embodiments theelectronically controlled pump pressure regulation component 1010 mayalso include or be a flow meter and/or differential pressure transduceroperably configured to achieve the same function.

The system 100 also comprises at least one disinfectant emission housing120 a-n coupled to the ceiling 108 and including an emission lower wall502, an emission housing sidewall 500 a surrounding and coupled to theemission lower wall 502, and at least one emission nozzle 200 retainedthereon, fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit assembly 116, andoperably configured to emit an atomized spray of the disinfectantsolution 114 through an emission port 504, 602 defined thereon, in adirection away from the at least one disinfectant emission housing 120a-n, and into the enclosed room space 110. The at least one disinfectantemission housing 120 a-n may be of a waterproof, flexibly resilient,and/or deformable material, e.g., natural rubber, PVC, etc. In oneembodiment, a single emission port 504 is disposed on the emission lowerwall 502 to ultrasonically diffuse the disinfectant solution 114 intothe enclosed room space 110 and beneficially cover a large surface areaof the enclosed room space 110. In another embodiment, at least oneemission port 602 a-n, wherein “n” refers to any number greater thanone, is disposed on each emission housing sidewall 500 a-n toultrasonically diffuse the disinfectant solution 114 into the enclosedroom space 110 with a consistent droplet size. The at least one emissionnozzle 200 emits the disinfectant solution 114 through the emission port504, 602 and, in a preferred embodiment, is operably configured in an80° spray angle so as to cover a greater area and volume of the enclosedroom space 110. The dimensions and configuration of the at least oneemission nozzle 200 may vary in alternate embodiments but an exemplaryemission nozzle 200 has an air pressure of 5.2 bar, a water pressure of1.5 bar, an air consumption of 115 liters per hour, a water consumptionof 7.1 liters per hour, and a droplet size of 5-10 microns. Anexcessively high droplet size may result in the accrual of liquiddroplets on people and tangible items located within the enclosed roomspace 110, which may cause damage to tangible items and belongings ordiscomfort or an inconvenience to individuals.

The number of emission nozzles 200 optimally required for any givenenclosed room space 110 depends on the height and the floor area of theenclosed structure 102. To calculate the number of nozzles/humidifiersrequired, the following formula or equation may be used:

${{Number}{of}{nozzles}{required}} = \frac{{Area}{of}{the}{room}}{{The}{area}{covered}{by}a{nozzle}}$

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofdisinfectant emission housings 120 a-n are each coupled to the ceiling108 in a distribution configuration operably configured to supply theatomized spray of the disinfectant solution 114 to at least 90% of aroom area of the enclosed room space 110.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the distribution configuration may consist of acircular or ring-like configuration wherein the plurality ofdisinfectant emission housings 120 a-n are configured into a ring tominimize any resulting pressure drop of the disinfectant solution 114.

In accordance with a further feature, the system 100 also comprises atleast one electronic control unit 1104 communicatively coupled to theelectronically controlled tank valve 1102, the disinfectant supply pump1004, the electronically controlled room pressure regulation component800, and the electronically controlled pump pressure regulationcomponent 1010 and operably configured to selectively regulate pressurewithin the liquid conduit assembly 116 and selectively induce thecontrolled flow rate through the disinfectant supply pump 1004 and causeemission of the atomized spray of the disinfectant solution 114 throughthe emission port on the at least one disinfectant emission housing 120a-n and into the enclosed room space 110 and at selectively controlledtime intervals through use of a programmable timer. The at least oneelectronic control unit 1104 may include one or more network interfacecards (NIC) or a network controller. In some embodiments, the at leastone electronic control unit 1104 may include a personal area network(PAN) interface. The PAN interface may provide the capability toselectively regulate pressure within the liquid conduit assembly 116 andselectively induce the controlled flow rate through the disinfectantsupply pump 1004 and cause emission of the atomized spray of thedisinfectant solution 114 using a short-range communication protocol,for example, a Bluetooth communication protocol. The PAN interface maypermit the at least one disinfectant emission housing 120 a-n and/or theliquid supply housing 112 to connect wirelessly to one another or to theat least one electronic control unit 1104 via a peer-to-peer connection.The at least one electronic control unit 1104 may also include a localarea network (LAN) interface. The LAN interface may be, for example, aninterface to a wireless LAN, such as a Wi-Fi network. The range of theLAN interface may generally exceed the range available via the PANinterface. Typically, a connection between two electronic devices viathe LAN interface may involve communication through a network router orother intermediary device. Additionally, the at least one electroniccontrol unit 1104 may include the capability to connect to a wide areanetwork (WAN) via a WAN interface. The WAN interface may permit aconnection to, for example, a cellular mobile communications network.The WAN interface may include communications circuitry, such as anantenna coupled to a radio circuit having a transceiver for transmittingand receiving radio signals via the antenna. The radio circuit may beconfigured to operate in a mobile communications network, including butnot limited to global systems for mobile communications (GSM), codedivision multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), and the like.The electronic control unit 1104 may be operably configured to initiatea signal to the disinfectant supply pump 1004 to induce a flow of thedisinfectant solution 114 through the liquid conduit assembly 116 atselectively controlled rates and times through use of a programmabletimer. Said another way, a user may select and/or program the electroniccontrol unit 1104 to control the flow of disinfectant solution 114through the nozzles 200 and onto desired proximal and ambient surfaces(e.g., up to approximately 10-20 feet) for a desired period of timeand/or at select times, thereby reducing the spread or proliferation ofbacterial and/or viral infections and diseases.

As best depicted in FIG. 4 (C) and FIG. 9, the system 100 may furthercomprise a compressed air assembly 122 having a compressor 900 operablyconfigured to compress a gas downstream of the compressor 900 within agas conduit assembly 124 spanning from the compressor 900 to the atleast one emission nozzle 200 on the least one disinfectant emissionhousing 120 a-n. The compressed air assembly 122 serves the beneficialfunction of aerating or atomizing the disinfectant solution 114 suchthat, when the disinfectant solution 114 is emitted and disseminatedthroughout the enclosed structure 102, it is in a gaseous, as opposed toliquid, form which then aids to disseminate the disinfectant solution114 throughout a greater volume and surface area of the enclosed roomspace 110. The compressed air assembly 122 may be housed in its ownindependent gas supply housing 126 or may be housed within the liquidsupply housing 112. As seen in FIG. 9, the independent gas supplyhousing 126 of the compressed air assembly 122 comprises a sidewall 902,an upper wall 904, and a lower wall 906. Exemplary dimensions of thecompressor 900 are 135 cm by 115 cm by 145 cm. In a preferredembodiment, the compressor 900 is of a screw type, with a weight rangingapproximately between 960 kg and 1000 kg, a working pressure rangingapproximately between 6 bar and 10 bar, a flow rate of approximately 6.5cubic meters per minute, and IP 55 protection. The foregoing dimensionsand configurations of the compressor 900 may vary in alternateembodiments.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, thesystem 100 also comprises an electronically controlled room air pressureregulator 802 (as seen in FIG. 8) housed within the at least oneintermediate regulation housing 118, fluidly coupled to the gas conduitassembly 124 upstream of the at least one emission nozzle 200 anddownstream of the compressor 900, and operably configured to selectivelymodulate, through the at least one electronic control unit 1104communicatively coupled thereto, the gas pressure within the gas conduitassembly 124 downstream to the at least one emission nozzle 200, therebycausing an increased velocity distribution of the atomized spray of thedisinfectant solution 114 through the emission port 504 on the at leastone disinfectant emission housing 120. In one embodiment, each of theintermediate regulation housings 118 may include, as best seen in FIG.8, a rear panel 804 and a front panel 806 selectively removablycouplable together with, for example, one or more fastener(s).

As best depicted in the schematic diagram of FIG. 11 and the explodedperspective view of FIG. 9, the gas supply housing 126 with thecompressor 900 housed therein, may further comprise a refrigerated airdryer unit 1106 fluidly coupled to the gas conduit assembly 124downstream of the compressor 900, and at least one filtering unit 1108fluidly coupled to the gas conduit assembly 124 downstream of thecompressor 900 and the refrigerated air dryer unit 1106. The at leastone filtering unit 1108 filters the gas within the gas conduit assembly124 such that the atomized spray of the disinfectant solution 114 thatis ultimately emitted consists of sanitized, disinfected, and filteredparticles.

The system 100 may further comprise an electronically controlledemission pressure regulation component 202 (best seen in FIG. 2(A))housed within the at least one disinfectant emission housing 120 a-n,fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit assembly 116 downstream of theelectronically controlled room pressure regulation component 800, andcommunicatively coupled to the at least one electronic control unit1104. The electronically controlled emission pressure regulationcomponent 202 consists of a valve that may be manually or automaticallyselectively manipulated through the at least one electronic control unit1104, though in alternate embodiments the electronically controlledemission pressure regulation component 202 may also include or be a flowmeter and/or differential pressure transducer operably configured toachieve the same function, i.e., to selectively modulate or regulate thepressure with which the atomized spray of the disinfectant solution 114is released and emitted into the enclosed room space 110.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid supply housing 112 furthercomprises a distribution unit 1006 housed therein and with a pluralityof liquid conduits forming part of the liquid conduit assembly 116 andoperably configured to retain disinfectant solution 114 downstream ofthe disinfectant supply pump 1004, the plurality of liquid conduitsspanning to separate and respective electronically controlled roompressure regulation components 800 fluidly coupled thereto and housedwithin respective intermediate regulation housings 118 coupled torespective structure sidewalls 104 in respective enclosed room spaces110. The distribution unit 1006 is schematically disclosed in FIG. 11and is depicted in FIG. 10.

In accordance with a further feature of one embodiment of the presentinvention, the at least one disinfectant emission housing 120 furthercomprises the at least one emission port 602 a-n defining on fouropposing sides of the housing sidewall 500 of the at least onedisinfectant emission housing 120; and a fan 700 and an ultrasonichumidifier 702 housed therein and operably configured to emit theatomized spray of the disinfectant solution 114 through the emissionports 602 a-n defined on the four opposing sides of the housing sidewall500 of the at least one disinfectant emission housing 120. The at leastone disinfectant emission housing 120 may also comprise an upper wall704 operably configured to selectively attach or affix to the ceilingwall 108 of the enclosed structure 102 and a disinfectant solution inletvalve 706 designed to receive, through the liquid conduit assembly 116,the disinfectant solution 114. The fan 700 is operably configured, basedon manual or automatic control from the at least one electronic controlunit 1104, to further disseminate the atomized spray of the disinfectantsolution 114 generated from the nozzles 200.

1. A disinfectant misting system implemented within an enclosedstructure having a structure sidewall, a ground wall, and a ceiling walldefining an enclosed room space and comprising: a liquid supply housingwith a liquid disinfectant storage tank housing a disinfectant solutionand fluidly couplable, through a liquid conduit assembly, with adisinfectant generation unit fluidly couplable, through the liquidconduit assembly, to a liquid supply source, the liquid disinfectantstorage tank and the disinfectant generation unit selectively fluidlycouplable, through the liquid conduit assembly, to one another throughan electronically controlled tank valve; a disinfectant supply pumphoused within the liquid supply housing and operably configured toreceive the disinfectant solution and induce, within the liquid conduitassembly, a selectively controlled flow rate thereon downstream of theliquid disinfectant storage tank and to an electronically controlledroom pressure regulation component fluidly coupled to the liquid conduitassembly and housed within at least one intermediate regulation housingcoupled to the structure sidewall; an electronically controlled pumppressure regulation component housed within the liquid supply housingand fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit assembly downstream of thedisinfectant supply pump and upstream of the electronically controlledroom pressure regulation component; at least one disinfectant emissionhousing coupled to a ceiling and including an emission lower wall, anemission housing sidewall surrounding and coupled to the emission lowerwall, and at least one emission nozzle retained thereon, fluidly coupledto the liquid conduit assembly, and operably configured to emit anatomized spray of the disinfectant solution through an emission portdefined thereon, in a direction away from the at least one disinfectantemission housing, and into the enclosed room space; and at least oneelectronic control unit communicatively coupled to the electronicallycontrolled tank valve, the disinfectant supply pump, the electronicallycontrolled room pressure regulation component, and the electronicallycontrolled pump pressure regulation component and operably configured toselectively regulate pressure within the liquid conduit assembly andselectively induce the controlled flow rate through the disinfectantsupply pump and cause emission of the atomized spray of the disinfectantsolution through the emission port on the at least one disinfectantemission housing and into the enclosed room space and at selectivelycontrolled time intervals through use of a programmable timer.
 2. Thedisinfectant misting system according to claim 1, further comprising: acompressed air assembly having a compressor operably configured tocompress a gas downstream of the compressor within a gas conduitassembly spanning from the compressor to the at least one emissionnozzle on the least one disinfectant emission housing; and anelectronically controlled room air pressure regulator housed within theat least one intermediate regulation housing, fluidly coupled to the gasconduit assembly upstream of the at least one emission nozzle anddownstream of the compressor, and operably configured to selectivelymodulate, through the at least one electronic control unitcommunicatively coupled thereto, the gas pressure within the gas conduitassembly downstream to the at least one emission nozzle, thereby causingan increased velocity distribution of the atomized spray of thedisinfectant solution through the emission port on the at least onedisinfectant emission housing.
 3. The disinfectant misting systemaccording to claim 2, further comprising: a gas supply housing with thecompressor housed therein, with a refrigerated air dryer unit fluidlycoupled to the gas conduit assembly downstream of the compressor, andwith at least one filtering unit fluidly coupled to the gas conduitassembly downstream of the compressor and the refrigerated air dryerunit.
 4. The disinfectant misting system according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of disinfectant emission housings each includingthe emission lower wall, the emission housing sidewall surrounding andcoupled to the emission lower wall, with the at least one emissionnozzle retained thereon, and coupled to the ceiling in a distributionconfiguration operably configured to supply the atomized spray of thedisinfectant solution to at least 90% of a room area of the enclosedroom space.
 5. The disinfectant misting system according to claim 1,wherein: the disinfectant generation unit is operably configured togenerate the disinfectant solution by subjecting a liquid substance fromthe liquid supply source to an electrolytic chemical reaction within thedisinfectant generation unit.
 6. The disinfectant misting systemaccording to claim 5, further comprising: a filtering unit fluidlycoupled to the liquid conduit assembly and disposed downstream of theliquid supply source and upstream of the disinfectant generation unit.7. The disinfectant misting system according to claim 5, wherein: thedisinfectant solution is hypochlorous acid.
 8. The disinfectant mistingsystem according to claim 1, further comprising: an electronicallycontrolled emission pressure regulation component housed within the atleast one disinfectant emission housing, fluidly coupled to the liquidconduit assembly downstream of the electronically controlled roompressure regulation component, and communicatively coupled to the atleast one electronic control unit.
 9. The disinfectant misting systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply housing furthercomprises: a distribution unit housed therein and with a plurality ofliquid conduits forming part of the liquid conduit assembly and operablyconfigured to retain disinfectant solution downstream of thedisinfectant supply pump, the plurality of liquid conduits spanning toseparate and respective electronically controlled room pressureregulation components fluidly coupled thereto and housed withinrespective intermediate regulation housings coupled to respectivestructure sidewalls in respective enclosed room spaces.
 10. Thedisinfectant misting system according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone disinfectant emission housing further comprises: an emission portdefining on four opposing sides of the housing sidewall of the at leastone disinfectant emission housing; and a fan and an ultrasonichumidifier housed therein and operably configured to emit the atomizedspray of the disinfectant solution through the emission ports defined onthe four opposing sides of the housing sidewall of the at least onedisinfectant emission housing.
 11. A disinfectant misting systemimplemented within an enclosed structure having a structure sidewall, aground wall, and a ceiling wall defining an enclosed room space andcomprising: a liquid supply housing with a liquid disinfectant storagetank housing a disinfectant solution and fluidly couplable, through aliquid conduit assembly, with a disinfectant generation unit fluidlycouplable, through the liquid conduit assembly, to a liquid supplysource, the liquid disinfectant storage tank and the disinfectantgeneration unit selectively fluidly couplable, through the liquidconduit assembly, to one another through an electronically controlledtank valve; a disinfectant supply pump housed within the liquid supplyhousing and operably configured to receive the disinfectant solution andinduce, within the liquid conduit assembly, a selectively controlledflow rate thereon downstream of the liquid disinfectant storage tank andto an electronically controlled room pressure regulation componentfluidly coupled to the liquid conduit assembly and housed within atleast one intermediate regulation housing coupled to the structuresidewall; at least one disinfectant emission housing coupled to theceiling and including an emission lower wall, an emission housingsidewall surrounding and coupled to the emission lower wall, and atleast one emission nozzle retained thereon, fluidly coupled to theliquid conduit assembly, and operably configured to emit an atomizedspray of the disinfectant solution through an emission port definedthereon, in a direction away from the at least one disinfectant emissionhousing, and into the enclosed room space; a compressed air assemblyhaving a compressor operably configured to compress a gas downstream ofthe compressor within a gas conduit assembly spanning from thecompressor to the at least one emission nozzle on the least onedisinfectant emission housing; and at least one electronic control unitcommunicatively coupled to a electronically controlled tank valve, thecompressor, the disinfectant supply pump, the electronically controlledroom pressure regulation component, and the electronically controlledpump pressure regulation component and operably configured toselectively regulate pressure within the liquid conduit assembly andselectively induce the controlled flow rate through the disinfectantsupply pump and cause emission of the atomized spray of the disinfectantsolution through the emission port on the at least one disinfectantemission housing and into the enclosed room space and at selectivelycontrolled time intervals through use of a programmable timer.
 12. Thedisinfectant misting system according to claim 11, wherein: theelectronically controlled pump pressure regulation component housedwithin the liquid supply housing and fluidly coupled to the liquidconduit assembly downstream of the disinfectant supply pump and upstreamof the electronically controlled room pressure regulation component. 13.The disinfectant misting system according to claim 12, furthercomprising: an electronically controlled room air pressure regulatorhoused within the at least one intermediate regulation housing, fluidlycoupled to the gas conduit assembly upstream of the at least oneemission nozzle and downstream of the compressor, and operablyconfigured to selectively modulate, through the at least one electroniccontrol unit communicatively coupled thereto, the gas pressure withinthe gas conduit assembly downstream to the at least one emission nozzle,thereby causing an increased velocity distribution of the atomized sprayof the disinfectant solution through the emission port on the at leastone disinfectant emission housing.
 14. The disinfectant misting systemaccording to claim 13, further comprising: a gas supply housing with thecompressor housed therein, with a refrigerated air dryer unit fluidlycoupled to the gas conduit assembly downstream of the compressor, andwith at least one filtering unit fluidly coupled to the gas conduitassembly downstream of the compressor and the refrigerated air dryerunit.
 15. The disinfectant misting system according to claim 14, furthercomprising: a plurality of disinfectant emission housings each includingthe emission lower wall, the emission housing sidewall surrounding andcoupled to the emission lower wall, with the at least one emissionnozzle retained thereon, and coupled to the ceiling in a distributionconfiguration operably configured to supply the atomized spray of thedisinfectant solution to at least 90% of a room area of the enclosedroom space.
 16. The disinfectant misting system according to claim 11,wherein: the disinfectant generation unit is operably configured togenerate the disinfectant solution by subjecting a liquid substance fromthe liquid supply source to an electrolytic chemical reaction within thedisinfectant generation unit.
 17. The disinfectant misting systemaccording to claim 16, further comprising: a filtering unit fluidlycoupled to the liquid conduit assembly and disposed downstream of theliquid supply source and upstream of the disinfectant generation unit.